The HRCP asked Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to reassess Pakistan’s ‘counter-terrorism strategy’ which appears to be not working to stop terrorism.
(Reuters file photo)

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan on Tuesday strongly condemed the deadly attack on a police academy in Quetta and asked Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to reassess his government’s ‘counter-terrorism strategy’ which appears to be not working.

“It is alarming that despite apparent focus on countering terrorism over the past few years, the terrorists were able to launch another major attack in a provincial metropolis like Quetta and cause such a high loss of life,” it said.

In a statement, the HRCP said there is a dire need of reassessing the country’s ‘counter-terrorism strategy’ which appears to be not working to stop terrorism.

“We condole with the families who lost loved ones in the attack on the police training school in Quetta. HRCP is of the view that terrorism cannot be overcome by reliance only on security operations. No state, however mighty, can fight terror without people’s support.

“Addressing the public alienation and winning their trust is vital in this fight. Despite much talk of developing alternative narratives on restoring peace to society there has been little action on that account. That needs to change without any further delay,” it said.

The commission said it is perhaps too early to speculate on the perpetrators of the Quetta attack, however, Pakistan must pay serious heed to the deteriorating relations with its neighbours.

“There is no wisdom in keeping multiple fronts open. Particularly amid the present day terrorism, which has a cross-border dimension, it makes all the more sense to join hands for security and fighting terrorism,” it warned.

Three heavily-armed militants wearing suicide vests attacked the police training college and were killed after a four-hour long operation in which 61 security personnel most of them policemen were killed and around 117 injured.